Sunday, April 09, 2006

Tetsuharu's Castle

Taking a little time out from Infohub development to examine Tetsuharu Nino's intriguing build on the Japanese sim of Yanagi ((251,34) Note: Typical teleport links have been omitted due to the nature of this sim. I'll let you figure out how to get there). This 'Castle' as it has been referred to is a dynamic interplay of traditional and contemporary Japanese influences that seems to oscillate between symbiotic and parasitic qualities.

The traditional structure forms the base of the build, with a solid concrete framework bursting out from it, scooping volume out from air space above to infill with transparent floor slabs underneath, as well as supporting a quiet rooftop penthouse which further reflects the overall gene splice. In some areas the traditional structure creeps up the concrete framework, the concrete responding with angles that respond to the shingled roofs of the presumably 'original' form. The end result is a heightening of the tension/harmony inherent in this build, and a narrative sense of 'organic' growth that would only be possible through the utilization of two distinct stylistic expressions.

Functionally, this is clearly an avian structure. It turns its back to the adjacent roadway, and the staircase leading up from ground level is the least interesting way to access the build. That said, the property must still be under construction, as while the upper levels are accessible and sparsely populated with items for sale, access is denied as of yet to the ground level.

If this is the case, then Tetsuharu's Castle is off to a great start. Appropriately on edge, it suggests a certain thematic response to a virtual version of the Japanese culture (not to mention sending the mind reeling in a whole other direction on what this might mean exactly), and yet takes advantage of its siting in virtual space to do itself one better than your typically atypical Tokyo landmark. The best part is, you know its only a matter of time until the real thing catches up, if it hasn't done so already.

1 Comments:

Nice one! I've gotta see this in 3D... it reminds me (not so much as in shape but in form) of playing with Duplo. I could trot out all the usual suspects here but I'd love to see anime characters romping around the pillows.

O yeah, on the cool hunter site, I found this:

http://www.reflections-thai.com/rooms.html

Wouldn't THIS be a kick to do in SL?

I wonder...

BTW, this is what I love about SL. You can be so versatile... "Hey Chip, building the new Mauve Infohub! Hey Chip, blogging about more fascinating architecture in SL..."